Teen Critically Hurt in Freeway Accident
A Cerritos teenager was in critical condition Thursday with major head and back injuries after his pickup truck veered off the Riverside Freeway, crashed through the guard rail and landed upside-down on the street below, California Highway Patrol officials said.
The CHP is seeking any information that might help explain why Thomas Lin, 17, careened out of the westbound lanes near Orangethorpe Avenue about 4:30 p.m., said CHP spokesman Tim O’Toole.
Lin appeared to suddenly swerve his 1995 Dodge Ram pickup onto the shoulder, where he struck a sign, crashed through 80 feet of the freeway perimeter fence and landed on Orangethorpe Avenue below. He was trapped in the overturned truck before rescuers freed him and took him to La Palma Intercommunity Hospital, O’Toole said late Thursday.
“At this time we really just don’t know” what happened, he said. “We have one very injured young man and no information.”
Any witnesses to the crash are asked to contact the CHP at (714) 892-4426.
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